Often, the firms let them participate in so-called side funds, which invest alongside the institutional funds in the same deals.

With a specific focus on early-stage investment, the program often invests alongside angel investors to provide a company's first outside round of capital.

In some deals Atomico invests alongside other venture capital investors.

The firm invested both as the lead investor or an equity co-investor alongside other financial sponsors.

Hoffman invested alongside Thiel in Facebook's very first financing round.

That offering allowed shareholders the opportunity to invest alongside traditional public equity investors like pension funds.

Also, several employees formed limited partnerships that allowed them to invest alongside Milken.

And U.S. Global employees are forbidden to invest alongside the funds.

But in some cases, to raise additional equity financing, they ask investors if they want to invest alongside the fund.

The firm also manages equity co-investment vehicles that invest alongside financial sponsors.